Answer:
The Civil Rights movement in the United States spanned several decades and was a pivotal moment in the fight for equal rights for all citizens. During this time, several groups were disenfranchised, meaning they were denied their basic rights and privileges as American citizens. These groups included African Americans, women, Native Americans, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
African Americans were arguably the most disenfranchised group during the Civil Rights movement. They faced systemic discrimination, segregation, and violence. For example, the Jim Crow laws enforced segregation and denied African Americans access to education, healthcare, and public accommodations such as restaurants and hotels. Many were denied the right to vote, and those who attempted to vote faced intimidation and violence. African American activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, played a critical role in challenging these injustices through nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience.
Women were also disenfranchised during the Civil Rights movement, although their struggles often intersected with those of African Americans. Women were denied many of the same basic rights as African Americans, including access to education and employment opportunities. They also faced discrimination in the workplace, with lower pay and fewer advancement opportunities than men. Women's rights activists, such as Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem, fought for gender equality and helped spark the feminist movement.
Native Americans were another group that was disenfranchised during the Civil Rights movement. They faced discrimination and mistreatment, with many forced to live on reservations and denied access to basic services such as healthcare and education. Native American activists such as Russell Means and Dennis Banks founded the American Indian Movement (AIM) to fight for Indigenous rights and sovereignty.
Finally, LGBTQ+ individuals were disenfranchised during the Civil Rights movement as well. They faced widespread discrimination and persecution, with homosexuality being considered a crime in many states. Activists such as Harvey Milk and Marsha P. Johnson fought for LGBTQ+ rights, including the right to marry and protections against discrimination.
In conclusion, the Civil Rights movement in the United States was a critical moment in the fight for equal rights for all citizens. Several groups, including African Americans, women, Native Americans, and LGBTQ+ individuals, were disenfranchised during this time, and their struggles continue to shape the ongoing fight for justice and equality.